Staple and staple collation

ABSTRACT

A staple collation includes a first staple, an identical second staple adjacent the first staple, and an adhesive material coupling the first staple to the second staple. Each of the first staple and the second staple includes a crown section having opposite ends and a pair of leg sections extending from the opposite ends of the crown section. The second staple is offset from the first staple in a first, lateral direction, and the second staple is offset from the first staple in a second, vertical direction that is perpendicular to the lateral direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/081,432 filed Sep. 22, 2020, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fasteners, and more particularly tostaples and staple collations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Staples are typically used to attach items to a workpiece (e.g., a post,a fence, a power pole, etc.). Barbed staples, which include barbsextending from the legs thereof, can increase the “pullout” forcerequired to remove the staples from the workpiece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides, in one aspect, a staple collation including afirst staple, an identical second staple adjacent the first staple, andan adhesive material coupling the first staple to the second staple.Each of the first staple and the second staple includes a crown sectionhaving opposite ends and a pair of leg sections extending from theopposite ends of the crown section. The second staple is offset from thefirst staple in a first, lateral direction, and wherein the secondstaple is offset from the first staple in a second, vertical directionthat is perpendicular to the lateral direction.

In some aspects, when viewed in a plan view, a longitudinal axis of thestaple collation extends at a first angle relative to a central plane ofsymmetry of the first staple and intersects a central plane of symmetryof the second staple, and when viewed in a side view, the longitudinalaxis of the staple collation extends at a second angle relative to adriving axis of the staple collation. In some aspects, the first angleis within a range from 10 degrees to 45 degrees. In some aspects, thesecond angle is within a range from 65 degrees to 85 degrees. In someaspects, the first and second staple each has an outer width defined bythe crown section and the central plane of symmetry of the first stapleis laterally offset from the central plane of symmetry of the secondstaple in the first direction by a distance. In some aspects, thedistance is 1 percent to 20 percent of the outer width of the firststaple. In some aspects, a barb projects outward from each of the legsections in a widthwise direction and the adhesive material is coupledto the leg sections between the crown section and the barb. In someaspects, an outer width defined between the barb on each of the legsections is less than or equal to the outer width of the crown section.In some aspects, the first and second staple each has a length and thesecond staple is vertically offset from the first staple in the seconddirection by a distance. In some aspects, the distance is 1 percent to10 percent of the length of the first staple. In some aspects, the crownsections of the first and second staples are diamond-shaped with a firstcurve, a second curve, and a third curve representing three points of adiamond. In some aspects, each of the first curve, the second curve, andthe third curve is defined by an identical radius.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a powered fastener driverincluding a housing defining a handle portion and a cylinder housingportion, a driver blade extending longitudinally along the cylinderhousing portion and defining a driving axis, a nosepiece, a magazineobliquely extending from the nosepiece in both a plane containing thedriving axis and a plane that is perpendicular to the driving axis, astaple collation housed within the magazine. The staple collationincluding a first staple positioned within the nosepiece, the firststaple being aligned with the driving axis, an identical second stapleadjacent the first staple, and an adhesive material coupling the firststaple to the second staple. Each of the first staple and the secondstaple includes a crown section having opposite ends, and a pair of legsections extending from the opposite ends of the crown section. Thesecond staple is offset from the first staple in a first, lateraldirection, and wherein the second staple is offset from the first staplein a second, vertical direction that is perpendicular to the lateraldirection.

In some aspects, when viewed in an end view, a longitudinal axis of themagazine intersects the driving axis and extends at a first anglerelative to a vertical reference plane containing the driving axis andbisecting the cylinder housing portion, and when viewed in a side view,the longitudinal axis of the magazine extends at a second angle relativeto the driving axis. In some aspects, the first angle is within a rangefrom 10 degrees to 45 degrees. In some aspects, when viewed in a planview, a longitudinal axis of the staple collation extends at a thirdangle relative to a central plane of symmetry of the first staple andintersects a central plane of symmetry of the second staple, and whenviewed in a side view, the longitudinal axis of the staple collationextends at a fourth angle relative to the driving axis. In some aspects,the first and second staple each has an outer width defined by the crownsection, and the central plane of symmetry of the first staple islaterally offset from the central plane of symmetry of the second staplein the first direction by a distance. In some aspects, the distance is 1percent to 20 percent of the outer width of the first staple. In someaspects, a barb projects outward from each of the leg sections in awidthwise direction, and the adhesive material is coupled to the legsections of the staple between the crown section and the barb.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a staple collation includes afirst staple, an identical second staple adjacent the first staple, andan adhesive material coupling the first staple to the second staple.Each of the first staple and the second staple includes a crown sectionhaving diamond shaped with a first curve, a second curve, and a thirdcurve representing three points of a diamond, the crown section havingopposite ends, a pair of leg sections extending from the opposite endsof the crown section, and a barb projecting outward from each of the legsections in a widthwise direction.

In some aspects, each of the first curve, the second curve, and thethird curve is defined by an identical radius. In some aspects, thefirst curve is positioned at an apex of the crown section that isbisected by a central plane of symmetry. In some aspects, the firstcurve is connected to the second curve and the third curve viarespective straight segments. In some aspects, each of the straightsegments is oriented at an angle within a range from 40 degrees to 50degrees relative to the central plane of symmetry. In some aspects, theleg sections include leg segments that extend from the crown section andare parallel with each other. In some aspects, the leg segments includean adhesive coating. In some aspects, the adhesive material is coupledto the leg sections of the staple between the crown section and thebarb. In some aspects, the crown section has an outer width that isgreater than an outer width of the leg sections. In some aspects, anouter width defined by the barbs is greater than the outer width of theleg sections and is less than or equal to the outer width of the crownsection. In some aspects, a distal end of one of the leg sections has aforward-facing inclined face, and wherein the distal end of the otherleg section has a rearward-facing inclined face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a staple collation in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the staple collation of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of one staple from the staple collation of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a staple in accordance with another embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the staple of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a staple in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the staple of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a staple collation in accordance with afurther embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of one staple from the staple collation of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a staple in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the staple of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a staple in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the staple of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a powered stapler.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the powered stapler of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the powered stapler of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a staple collation in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention for use with the powered stapler ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a single staple of the staple collation ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the staple collation of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the staple collation of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a staple collation in accordance withyet another embodiment of the invention for use with the powered staplerof FIG. 14.

FIG. 22 is a front view of a single staple of the staple collation ofFIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the staple collation of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the staple collation of FIG. 21.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a staple 10 that can be used with an electricallypowered stapler to secure an item to a workpiece. The staple 10 includesa crown section 14 and leg sections 18 extending from opposite sides ofthe crown section 14. The staples 10 are connected with an adhesivematerial 12 (e.g., collation tape, glue, etc.) to form a staplecollation 20. The adhesive material 12 may connect adjacent leg sections18 of the staples 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesivematerial 12 is collation tape.

With reference to FIG. 2, the crown section 14 is diamond-shaped with afirst curve 22, a second curve 26, and a third curve 30 representingthree points of a diamond. Each of the first curve 22, the second curve26, and the third curve 30 is defined by an identical radius R. In theillustrated embodiment, the radius R is 2 millimeters. The first curve22 is positioned at an apex of the crown section 14 that is bisected bya central plane 34 of symmetry, making the left and right sides of thestaple 10 identical. The first curve 22 is connected to the second curve26 and the third curve 30 via respective straight segments 38. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the straight segments 38 is oriented atan angle A1 of approximately 45 degrees relative to the central plane34.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, each of the leg sections 18 includesan angled segment 42 that extends from the second curve 26 and the thirdcurve 30, respectively. The angled segments 42 extend downwardly, awayfrom the crown section 14, and outwardly, away from the central plane34. In other words, the angled segments 42 extend away from each other.Each angled segment 42 is oriented relative to the central plane 34 byan angle A2 of 2 degrees. In alternative embodiments, the angled segment42 may be oriented relative to the central plane 34 by an angle A2between 0 and 10 degrees.

Each leg section 18 includes a distal end 46 adjacent the angled segment42 and opposite the crown section 14. In the illustrated embodiment ofthe staple 10, the distal end 46 of one of the leg sections 18 has aforward-facing inclined face 50 and the distal end 46 of the other legsection 18 has a rearward-facing inclined face 54 (FIG. 3). Duringinsertion of the staple 10 into a workpiece, the inclined faces 50, 54guide the angled segments 42 in a curved or arcuate path, instead of astraight path, into the workpiece. Accordingly, the leg segments 18 arebent during the process of driving the staple 10 into the workpiece,increasing the pullout force required to remove the staple 10 from theworkpiece. The inclined faces 50, 54 additionally define an obliqueangle with respect to the central plane 34 to form a sharp edge at thedistal ends 46 to facilitate driving the staple 10 into a workpiece. Insome embodiments, the distal end 46 of the leg sections 18 may notinclude the inclined faces 50, 54 and may include straight cut tips. Insuch embodiments, the leg sections 18 may insert into the workpiece in astraight path.

With reference to FIG. 2, the crown section 14 has an outer width W1that is approximately equal to an outer width W2 of the leg sections 18measured between the distal ends 46. In the illustrated embodiment theouter width W1 of the crown section 14 and the outer width W2 of the legsections 18 are each approximately 20 millimeters. In alternativeembodiments, the outer width W1 of the crown section 14 may be less thanor greater than the outer width W2 of the leg sections 18.

The staple 10 may be formed from any material including, but not limitedto, a metal. In some embodiments, the staple 10 is formed from 1040steel. The staple 10 may also have a coating including, but not limitedto, zinc or an aluminum-zinc coating. Solely the leg sections 18 mayinclude a withdrawal coating or adhesive to help maintain the staple 10within the workpiece after being driven. The adhesive coating mayfurther act as a lubricant when driving the staple 10 from a poweredstapler, which promotes full engagement of the staple into theworkpiece.

In use, the staple 10 is driven into a workpiece by an electricallypowered fastener driver, such as a powered stapler. The sharp edges atthe distal ends 46 pierce the workpiece, providing easier insertion ofthe staple 10 into the workpiece. Because the inclined faces 50, 54extend in diverging directions, the leg sections 18 are driven into theworkpiece in diverging directions. The inclination of the angledsegments 42 further facilitates in diverging the leg sections 18 from astraight path when driven into the workpiece. As insertion of the staple10 continues and depending upon the desired driving depth of the staple10, the second and third curves 26, 30 of the crown section 14 may bedriven into the workpiece, leaving only the first curve 22 of the crownsection 14 externally visible from the workpiece. If only the firstcurve 22 is externally accessible, removal of the staple 10 isinhibited. Further, the inclination and/or bending of the leg sections18 as described above also inhibits unwanted removal of the staple 10.To remove the staple 10, a tool is used to grasp onto the first curve 22and exert an upward force on the staple 10 in a direction away from theworkpiece.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a staple 100 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. The staple 100 is like the staple 10 shown and describedin FIGS. 1-3. Therefore, like structures will be referred to by likereference numerals plus “100” and only the differences between the twowill be discussed herein. The staple 100 includes a crown section 114and leg sections 118 extending from opposite sides of the crown section114. The crown section 114 defines a semi-circle having a uniform radiusR. In the illustrated embodiment, the uniform radius R is 5.5millimeters. The uniform radius R defines an apex of the of the crownsection 114 that is bisected by a central plane 134 of symmetry, makingthe left and right sides of the staple 100 identical.

With reference to FIG. 4, each of the leg sections 118 includes legsegments 1000 that extend from the crown section 114. The leg sections118 are parallel with each other, as well as parallel with the centralplane 134. One or more of the leg sections 118 includes a plurality ofrecesses or indentations 1002 disposed on an outer face 158 of the legsection 118. In the illustrated embodiment, each leg section 118includes the indentations 1002. In other embodiments, only a single legsection 118 may include the indentations 1002, while the other legsection 118 does not. In yet another embodiment, other the leg section118 may include a barb (as described below). When the staple 100 isdriven into a workpiece, the indentations 1002 enhance the grip to theworkpiece to inhibit extraction of the staple 100.

The indentations 1002 project inwardly into the leg section 118 in awidthwise direction. The indentations 1002 include a large indent 1004and a plurality of small indents 1008. The large indent 1004 is disposedat a mid-point of the leg section 118 between the crown section 114 anda distal end 146 of the leg section 118. The plurality of small indents1008 are disposed below the large indent 1004, between the large indent1004 and the distal end 146. In alternative embodiments, the largeindent 1004 and the small indents 1008 may be disposed at an alternatelocation on the staple 100.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the crown section 114 has an outerwidth W1 that is approximately equal to an outer width W2 of the legsections 118 measured between the distal ends 146. In the illustratedembodiment, the outer width W1 of the crown section 114 and the outerwidth W2 of the leg sections are each 18.5 millimeters. In alternativeembodiments, the outer width W2 of the crown section 114 may be lessthan or greater than the outer width W2 of the leg sections 118. Anouter width W3 defined by the large indent 1004 is less than the outerwidth W1 of the crown section 114. An outer width W4 of the small indent1008 is less than the outer width W1 of the crown section 114 andgreater than the outer width W3 of the large indent 1004. In someembodiments, all of the indentations 1002 may have the same width (e.g.,W3 or W4), which is less than the outer width W2 of the leg sections118.

In use, the staple 100 is driven into a workpiece by an electricallypowered fastener driver, such as a powered stapler. The sharp edges atthe distal ends 146 of forward and rearward inclined faces 150, 154pierce the workpiece, providing easier insertion of the staple 100 intothe workpiece. Because the inclined faces 150, 154 extend in divergingdirections, the leg sections 118 are driven into the workpiece indiverging directions. As insertion of the staple 100 continues anddepending upon the desired driving depth of the staple, solely a portionof the crown section 114 may be driven into the workpiece, leaving theremaining portion of the crown section 114 externally visible from theworkpiece. The plurality of recesses 1002 prevent removal of the staple100 from the workpiece due to the plurality of recesses 1002 creating afriction force between the leg sections 118 and the workpiece. Further,the inclination and/or bending of the leg sections 118 as describedabove also inhibits unwanted removal of the staple 100. To remove thestaple 100, a tool is used to grasp onto the portion of the crownsection 114 that is externally visible from the workpiece and exert anupward force on the staple 100 in a direction away from the workpiece.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a staple 200 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. The staple 200 is like the staple 10 shown and describedin FIGS. 1-3. Therefore, like structures will be referred to by likereference numerals plus “200” and only the differences between the twowill be discussed herein. The staple 200 includes a crown section 214and leg sections 218 extending from opposite sides of the crown section214. The crown section 214 defines a semi-circle having a uniform radiusR. In the illustrated embodiment, the uniform radius R is 5.5millimeters. The uniform radius R defines an apex of the of the crownsection 214 that is bisected by a central plane 234 of symmetry, makingthe left and right sides of the staple 200 identical.

With reference to FIG. 4, each of the leg sections 218 includes legsegments 2000 that extend from the crown section 214. The leg sections218 are parallel with each other, as well as parallel with the centralplane 234. Each leg segment 2000 includes a barb 2004 that projectsoutwardly from the leg section 218 in a widthwise direction. The barb2004 is closer to a distal end 246 of the leg section than the crownsection 214. In additional embodiments, the barb 2004 may be disposedcloser to the crown section 214 than the distal end 246. In furtherembodiments, the barb 2004 may be disposed at a mid-point between thecrown section 214 and the distal end 246. The barb 2004 includesprojecting points 2008 that grip a portion of the workpiece to inhibitextraction of the staple 200. The projecting point 2008 defines a face2012 that is perpendicular with the central plane 234. The face 2012extends into a thickness of the leg section 218 in a widthwisedirection, defining a recessed area 2016.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the crown section 214 has an outerwidth W1 that is approximately equal to an outer width W2 of the legsections 218 measured between the distal ends 246. In the illustratedembodiment, the outer width W1 of the crown section 214 and the outerwidth W2 of the leg sections 218 are each 18.5 millimeters. Inalternative embodiments, the outer width of the crown section 214 mayhave an outer width that is less than or greater than an outer width ofthe leg sections 218. An outer width W3 defined by the barbs 2004 isgreater than the outer width W1 of the crown section 214 and the outerwidth W2 of the leg sections 218. In the illustrated embodiment, theouter width W3 defined by the barbs 2004 is 20 millimeters.

In use, the staple 200 is driven into a workpiece by an electricallypowered fastener driver, such as a powered stapler. The sharp edges atthe distal ends 246 of forward and rearward inclined faces 250, 254pierce the workpiece, providing easier insertion of the staple 200 intothe workpiece. Because the inclined faces 250, 254 extend in divergingdirections, the leg sections 218 are driven into the workpiece indiverging directions. As insertion of the staple 200 continues anddepending upon the desired driving depth of the staple, solely a portionof the crown section 214 may be driven into the workpiece, leaving theremaining portion of the crown section 214 externally visible from theworkpiece. The barbs 2004 prevent removal of the staple 200 from theworkpiece due to the barbs 2004 latching onto the workpiece. Further,the inclination and/or bending of the leg sections 218 as describedabove also inhibits unwanted removal of the staple 200. To remove thestaple 200, a tool is used to grasp onto the portion of the crownsection 214 that is externally visible from the workpiece and exert anupward force on the staple 200 in a direction away from the workpiece.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a staple 300 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. The staple 300 is like the staple 10 shown and describedin FIGS. 1-3. Therefore, like structures will be referred to by likereference numerals plus “300” and only the differences between the twowill be discussed herein. The staple 300 includes a crown section 314and leg sections 318 extending from opposite sides of the crown section314.

With reference to FIG. 8, the crown section 314 is diamond shaped with afirst curve 322, a second curve 326, and a third curve 330 representingthree points of a diamond. Each of the first curve 322, the second curve326, and the third curve 330 is defined by an identical radius R. In theillustrated embodiment, the radius R is 2 millimeters. The first curve322 is positioned at an apex of the crown section 314 that is bisectedby a central plane 334 of symmetry, making the left and right sides ofthe staple 300 identical. The first curve 322 is connected to the secondcurve 326 and the third curve 330 via respective straight segments 338.In the illustrated embodiment, each of the straight segments 338 isoriented at an angle A1 of approximately 45 degrees relative to thecentral plane 334. In some embodiments the angle A1 is in a range from40 degrees to 50 degrees.

The leg sections 318 include leg segments 3000 that extend from thecrown section 314. The leg segments 3000 are parallel with each other,as well as parallel with the central plane 334. In some embodiments, theleg segments 3000 may include an adhesive coating. The adhesive coatingmay secure the leg segments 3000 within a workpiece. Each leg segment3000 includes a barb 3004 that projects outwardly from the leg section318 in a widthwise direction. The barb 3004 is closer to a distal end346 of the leg section 318 than the crown section 314. The barb 3004includes projecting points 3008 that grip a portion of the workpiece toinhibit extraction of the staple 300. The projecting point 3008 definesa face 3012 that is perpendicular with the central plane 334. The face3012 extends into a thickness of the leg section 318 in a widthwisedirection, defining a recessed area 3016. The staples 300 may beconnected with an adhesive material 312 (e.g., collation tape, glue,etc.) to form a staple collation. The adhesive material 312 is coupledto the leg sections 318 of the staple 300 in an area between the crownsection 314 and the barb 3004.

With reference to FIG. 8, the crown section 314 has an outer width W1that is greater than an outer width W2 of the leg sections 318 measuredbetween the distal ends 346. An outer width W3 defined by the barbs 3004is greater than the outer width W2 of the leg sections 318 and is lessthan or equal to the outer width W1 of the crown section 314. As aresult, the staple 300 may be used in an electrically powered fastenerdriver, such as a powered stapler, and does not require an additionalchannel or passageway within the magazine or nosepiece of the stapler toaccommodate the barb 3004.

In use, the staple 300 is driven into a workpiece by an electricallypowered fastener driver, such as a powered stapler. The sharp edges atthe distal ends 346 pierce the workpiece, providing easier insertion ofthe staple 300 into the workpiece. Because the inclined faces 350, 354extend in diverging directions, the leg sections 318 are driven into theworkpiece in diverging directions. As insertion of the staple 300continues and depending upon the desired driving depth of the staple300, the second and third curves 326, 330 of the crown section 314 maybe driven into the workpiece, leaving only the first curve 322 of thecrown section 314 externally visible from the workpiece. If only thefirst curve 322 is externally accessible, removal of the staple 300 isinhibited. The barbs 3004 prevent removal of the staple 300 from theworkpiece due to the barbs 3004 latching onto the workpiece. Further,the inclination and/or bending of the leg sections 318 as describedabove also inhibits unwanted removal of the staple 300. To remove thestaple 300, a tool is used to grasp onto the first curve 322 and exertan upward force on the staple 300 in a direction away from theworkpiece.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a staple 400 according to another embodimentof the invention. The staple 400 is like the staple 10 shown anddescribed in FIGS. 1-3. Therefore, like structures will be referred toby like reference numerals plus “400” and only the differences betweenthe two will be discussed herein. The staple 400 includes a crownsection 414 and leg sections 418 extending from opposite sides of thecrown section 414.

With reference to FIG. 10, the crown section 414 is diamond shaped witha first curve 422, a second curve 426, and a third curve 430representing three points of a diamond. Each of the first curve 422, thesecond curve 426, and the third curve 430 is defined by an identicalradius R. In the illustrated embodiment, the radius R is twomillimeters. The first curve 422 is positioned at an apex of the crownsection 414 that is bisected by a central plane 434 of symmetry, makingthe left and right sides of the staple 400 identical. The first curve422 is connected to the second curve 426 and the third curve 430 viarespective straight segments 438. In the illustrated embodiment, each ofthe straight segments 438 is oriented at an angle A1 of approximately 45degrees relative to the central plane 434.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, each of the leg sections 418includes an angled segment 442 that extends from the second curve 426and the third curve 430, respectively. The angled segments 442 extenddownwardly, away from the crown section 414, and outwardly, away fromthe central plane 434. In other words, the angled segments 442 extendaway from each other. Each angled segment 442 is oriented relative tothe central plane 434 by an angle A2 of 2 degrees. In alternativeembodiments, the angled segment 442 may be oriented relative to thecentral plane 434 by an angle A2 between 0 and 10 degrees.

Each angled segment 442 includes a barb 4004 that projects outwardlyfrom the leg section 418 in a widthwise direction. In the illustratedembodiment, the barb 4004 is closer to the crown section 414 than adistal end 446 of the leg section 418. In other embodiments, the barb4004 may be alternatively positioned on the leg section 418 (e.g., at amid-point of the leg section 418, closer to the distal end 446, etc.).The barb 4004 includes projecting points 4008 that grip a portion of theworkpiece to inhibit extraction of the staple 400. The projecting point4008 defines a face 4012 that is perpendicular with the central plane434. The face 4012 extends into a thickness of the leg section 418 in awidthwise direction, defining a recessed area 4016.

With reference to FIG. 10, the crown section 414 has an outer width W1that is approximately equal to outer width W2 of the leg sections 418measured between the distal ends 446. In the illustrated embodiment theouter width W1 of the crown section 414 and the outer width W2 of theleg sections 418 are each approximately 20 millimeters An outer width W3defined by the barbs 4004 is less than the outer width W2 of the legsections 418 and the outer width W3 of the crown section 414. As aresult, the staple 400 may be used in an electrically powered fastenerdriver, such as a powered stapler, and does not require an additionalchannel or passageway within the magazine or nosepiece of the stapler toaccommodate the barb 4004.

In use, the staple 400 is driven into a workpiece by an electricallypowered fastener driver, such as a powered stapler. The sharp edges atthe distal ends 446 of the forward and rearward points 466, 470 piercethe workpiece, providing easier insertion of the staple 400 into theworkpiece. Because the inclined faces 450, 454 extend in divergingdirections, the leg sections 418 are driven into the workpiece indiverging directions. As insertion of the staple 400 continues anddepending upon the desired driving depth of the staple 400, the secondand third curves 426, 430 of the crown section 414 may be driven intothe workpiece, leaving only the first curve 422 of the crown section 414externally visible from the workpiece. If only the first curve 422 isexternally accessible, removal of the staple 400 is inhibited. The barbs4004 prevent removal of the staple 400 from the workpiece due to thebarbs 4004 latching onto the workpiece. Further, the inclination and/orbending of the leg sections 418 as described above also inhibitsunwanted removal of the staple 400. To remove the staple 400, a tool isused to grasp onto the first curve 422 and exert an upward force on thestaple 400 in a direction away from the workpiece.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a staple 500 according to another embodimentof the invention. The staple 500 is like the staple 10 shown anddescribed in FIGS. 1-3. Therefore, like structures will be referred toby like reference numerals plus “500” and only the differences betweenthe two will be discussed herein. The staple 500 includes a crownsection 514 and leg sections 518 extending from opposite sides of thecrown section 514.

With reference to FIG. 12, the crown section 514 defines a semi-circlehaving a uniform radius R. In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformradius R is 5.5 millimeters. The uniform radius R defines an apex of theof the crown section 514 that is bisected by a central plane 534 ofsymmetry, making the left and right sides of the staple 500 identical.The leg sections 518 include leg segments 5000 that extend from thecrown section 514. The leg sections 518 are parallel with each other, aswell as parallel with the central plane 534.

One or more of the leg sections 518 includes an engagement or ring shankportion 5002 having a series of annular barbs 5004. In the illustratedembodiment, each leg section 518 includes the ring shank portion 5002.In other embodiments, only a single leg section 518 may include the ringshank portion 5002, while the other leg section 518 does not (e.g., hasa uniform diameter). In yet another embodiment, the other leg section118 may include a barb (e.g., like barb 2004) or indentations (e.g.,like indentations 1002). The annular barbs 5004 grip portions of aworkpiece to inhibit extraction of the staple 100. The annular barbs5004 are disposed between the crown section 514 and a distal end 546 ofthe leg section 518. In the illustrated embodiment, the leg sections 518have an overall length L1. The annular barbs 5004 extend a length L2,which is a portion of the overall length L2 of the leg section 518. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the length L2 along which the annular barbs5004 extends is 50 percent of the overall length L1 of the leg section518. In alternative embodiments, the length L2 may be between 25 percentto 80 percent of the overall length L1 of the leg section 518.

With continued reference to FIG. 12, the crown section 514 has an outerwidth W1 that is approximately equal to an outer width W2 of the legsections 518 measured between the distal ends 246. An outer width W3defined by the annular threads 5004 is approximately equal to the outerwidth W1 of the crown section 514 and the outer width W2 of the legsections 518. In some embodiments, the outer width W3 may be less thanor greater than the outer width W1 of the crown section 514. In someembodiments, the outer width W3 may be less than or greater than theouter width W2 of the outer width of the leg sections 518.

In use, the staple 500 is driven into a workpiece by an electricallypowered fastener driver, such as a powered stapler. The sharp edges atthe distal ends 546 of forward and rearward inclined faces 550, 554pierce the workpiece, providing easier insertion of the staple 500 intothe workpiece. Because the inclined faces 550, 554 extend in divergingdirections, the leg sections 518 are driven into the workpiece indiverging directions. As insertion of the staple 500 continues anddepending upon the desired driving depth of the staple, solely a portionof the crown section 514 may be driven into the workpiece, leaving theremaining portion of the crown section 514 externally visible from theworkpiece. The annular threads 5004 of the engagement portion 5004prevent removal of the staple 500 from the workpiece due to the annularthreads 5004 latching onto the workpiece. Further, the inclinationand/or bending of the leg sections 518 as described above also inhibitsunwanted removal of the staple 500. To remove the staple 500, a tool isused to grasp onto the portion of the crown section 514 that isexternally visible from the workpiece and exert an upward force on thestaple 500 in a direction away from the workpiece. In some embodiments,the distal end 546 of the leg sections 518 may not include the inclinedfaces 550, 554 and may include straight cut tips. In such embodiments,the leg sections 518 may insert into the workpiece in a straight path.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate a powered fastener driver, such as a poweredstapler 600, that is operable to drive fasteners (e.g., the staples 10,200, 300, 400, 500) held within a magazine 610 into a workpiece. Thestapler 600 includes a housing 614 having a cylinder housing portion 618and a motor housing portion 622 extending therefrom. The cylinderhousing portion 618 houses a driver blade 626 (FIG. 15) that extendslongitudinally along the cylinder housing portion 618 and defines adriving axis 630. The stapler 600 further includes a nosepiece 634adjacent the front end of the magazine 610 to receive staples therefrom.

The housing 614 further includes a handle portion 638 extending from thecylinder housing portion 618, and a battery attachment portion 642coupled to an opposite end of the handle portion 638. A battery pack(not shown) is electrically connectable to a motor (not shown) withinthe motor housing portion 622 for supplying electrical power to themotor. The handle portion 638 supports a trigger 646, which is depressedby a user to initiate a firing cycle of the stapler 600.

The magazine 610 obliquely extends from the nosepiece 634 in both aplane containing the driving axis 630 and a plane that is perpendicularto the driving axis 630 (FIG. 15). In other words, the magazine 610appears angled or obliquely oriented from both a side view (FIG. 16) ofthe stapler 600 and an end view (FIG. 15) of the stapler 600. Forexample, in the end view of the stapler 600 shown in FIG. 15, alongitudinal axis 648 of the magazine 610 intersecting the driving axis630 extends at an angle A3 relative to a vertical reference plane 650containing the driving axis 630 and bisecting the cylinder housingportion 618 of the stapler 600. And, in the side view of the stapler 600shown in FIG. 16, the longitudinal axis of the magazine 610 extends atan angle A4 relative to the driving axis 630. In the illustratedembodiment of the stapler 600, angle A3 is about 14 degrees and angle A4is about 72 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle A3 may be in arange from 10 degrees to 45 degrees and the angle A4 may be in a rangefrom 65 degrees to 90 degrees.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a staple collation 720 for use with the stapler600 of FIG. 14. The collation 720 includes a plurality of staples 700,each having a crown section 714 and leg sections 718 extending fromopposite sides of the crown section 714. An adhesive material 712connects adjacent staples to form the collation 720. In the illustratedembodiment, the adhesive material 712 is collation tape 712. Thecollation tape 712 is coupled to each leg section 718. In otherembodiments, other adhesive materials may be used.

FIG. 18 illustrates a single staple 700 of the staple collation 720. Thecrown section 714 of each staple 700 is diamond-shaped with a firstcurve 722, a second curve 726, and a third curve 730 representing threepoints of a diamond. Each of the first curve 722, the second curve 726,and the third curve 730 is defined by an identical radius R. In theillustrated embodiment, the radius R is 2 millimeters. The first curve722 is positioned at an apex of the crown section 714 that is bisectedby a central plane 734 of symmetry, making the left and right sides ofthe staple 700 identical. In some embodiments, the left and right sidesof the staple 700 may not be identical. The first curve 722 is connectedto the second curve 726 and the third curve 730 via respective straightsegments 738. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the straightsegments 738 is oriented at an angle A1 of approximately 45 degreesrelative to the central plane 734.

The leg sections 718 of each staple 700 include leg segments 7000 thatextend from the crown section 714. The leg segments 7000 are parallelwith each other, as well as parallel with the central plane 734. One ormore of the leg segments 7000 includes a barb 7004 that projects outwardfrom the leg section 718 in a widthwise direction. In the illustratedembodiment, each leg segment 7000 includes the barb 7004, which iscloser to a distal end 746 of the leg section 718 than the crown section714. In other embodiments, the barb 7004 may be positioned at differentlocations on the leg segments 700. For example, in embodiments where theleft and right sides of the staple 700 are not identical, the barb 7004on one leg segment 7000 may be positioned closer to the crown section714 and the barb on the other leg segment 7000 may be positioned closerto the distal end 746. The adhesive material 712 is coupled to the legsections 718 of the staple 700 between the crown section 714 and thebarb 7004.

With continued reference to FIG. 18, the crown section 714 has an outerwidth W1 that is greater than an outer width W2 of the leg sections 718measured between the distal ends 746. An outer width W3 defined by thebarbs 7004 is greater than the outer width W2 of the leg sections 718and less than or equal to the outer width W1 of the crown section 714.In the illustrated embodiment, the outer width W1 of the crown section714 is 20 millimeters, the outer width W3 defined by the barbs 7004 is19.3 millimeters, and the outer width of the leg sections 718 is 17.5millimeters. A length L of the staple 700 is defined as the distancebetween the apex of the crown section 714 and the distal end 746 of thestaple 700. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L of the staple is50.5 millimeters.

With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, the staple collation 720 isillustrated in similar orientations as the magazine 610 of the poweredstapler 600 in FIGS. 15 and 16. The staple collation 720 includes afirst, forwardmost staple 700′ and an adjacent second staple 700″. Whenthe staple collation 720 is inserted within the magazine 610 of thestapler 600, the central plane 734′ of the first staple 700′ is alignedwith and contains the driving axis 630. While the relative positioningof the first staple 700′ and the second staple 700″ are described indetail, it should be appreciated that the staple collation 720 mayinclude any number of staples.

The second staple 700″ is offset from the first staple 700′ withreference to both the central plane 734′ of the first staple 700′ (FIG.20) and a plane that is perpendicular to the central plane 734′ (FIG.19). In other words, the second staple 700″ is vertically offset fromthe first staple 700′ in the side view of the staple collation 720 shownin FIG. 20. And, the second staple 700″ is laterally offset from thefirst staple 700′ in the bottom view of the staple collation 720 shownin FIG. 19.

For example, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 19, a longitudinal axis748 of the staple collation 720 extends at an angle A5 relative to thecentral plane 734′ of the first staple 700′ and intersects the centralplane 734″ of the second staple 700″. In the illustrated embodiment,angle A5 is about 14 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle A5 may bein a range from 10 degrees to 45 degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second staple 700′, 700′each has an outer width W1 defined by the crown section 714 (FIG. 18) of20 millimeters. The angle A5 laterally offsets the second staple 700″from the first staple 700′ by a distance D1. In the illustratedembodiment, the distance D1 is approximately 1 millimeter. As such, eachstaple of the staple collation 720 is laterally offset from each otherby approximately 5 percent of the overall width W1 of the staple 700. Inalternative embodiments, each staple of the staple collation 720 may belaterally offset each other by 1 percent to 20 percent of the outerwidth W1 of the staple 700. In other words, the central plane 734″ ofthe first staple 700′ is laterally offset the central plane 734″ of thesecond staple 700″ by the distance D1.

In the side view of the staple collation 720, as shown in FIG. 20, thelongitudinal axis 748 of the staple collation 720 extends at an angle A6relative to a driving axis 770 of the staple collation 720. The drivingaxis 770 of the staple collation 720 extends centrally through the firststaple 700′ and contains the central plane 734′. When the staplecollation 720 is inserted within the magazine 610 of the stapler 600,the driving axis 770 of the collation 720 aligns with the driving axis630 of the stapler 600. In the illustrated embodiment, angle A6 is about72 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle A6 may be in a range from 65degrees to 85 degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second staple 700′, 700′each has a length L of 50.5 millimeters. The angle A6 vertically offsetsthe second staple 700″ from the first staple 700′ by a distance D2. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the distance D2 is approximately 1.4millimeters. As such, each staple of the staple collation 720 isvertically offset each other by approximately 3 percent of the length Lof the staple 700. In alternative embodiments, each staple of the staplecollation 720 may be vertically offset each other by 1 percent to 10percent of the length of the staple 700. In other words, the centralplane 734″ of the first staple 700′ is vertically offset the centralplane 734″ of the second staple 700″ by the distance D2.

In use, the collated staple assembly 720 is inserted into the magazine610 of the powered stapler 600 so the longitudinal axis 748 of thestaple collation 720 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 648 of themagazine 610 of the stapler 600 and the driving axis 770 of thecollation 720, which contains the central plane 734′ of the first staple700′, aligns with and contains the driving axis 630 of the stapler 600.When the trigger 646 of the powered stapler 600 is depressed, the firststaple 700′ is driven through the nosepiece 634, along the driving axis630, and inserted into a workpiece. Then, the second staple 700″ isadvanced within the magazine 610 so the central plane 734″ of the secondstaple 700″ aligns with and contains the driving axis 630.

FIGS. 21-24 illustrate a staple collation 820 according to anotherembodiment of the invention. The collation 820 is like the collation 720shown and described in FIGS. 17-20. Therefore, like structures will bereferred to by like reference numerals plus “100” and only thedifferences between the two will be discussed herein. The staplecollation 820 includes a plurality of staples 800, each having a crownsection 814 and leg sections 818 extending from opposite sides of thecrown section 814. An adhesive material 812 connects adjacent staples toform the collation 820. In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesivematerial 712 is glue. In other embodiments, other adhesive materials maybe used.

With reference to FIG. 22, the crown section 814 defines a semi-circlehaving a uniform radius R. In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformradius R is 5.5 millimeters. The uniform radius R defines an apex of theof the crown section 814 that is bisected by a central plane 834 ofsymmetry, making the left and right sides of the staple 800 identical.The leg sections 818 include leg segments 8000 that extend from thecrown section 814. The leg sections 818 are parallel with each other, aswell as parallel with the central plane 834. Each leg segment 8000includes a barb 8004 that projects outwardly from the leg section 818 ina widthwise direction. The barb 8004 is closer to a distal end 846 ofthe leg section than the crown section 814.

With continued reference to FIG. 22, the crown section 814 has an outerwidth W1 that is approximately equal to an outer width W2 of the legsections 818 measured between the distal ends 846. In the illustratedembodiment, the outer width W1 of the crown section 814 and the outerwidth W2 of the leg sections 818 are each 18.5 millimeters. An outerwidth W3 defined by the barbs 8004 is greater than the outer width W1 ofthe crown section 814 and the outer width W2 of the leg sections 818. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the outer width W3 defined by the barbs 8004is 20 millimeters. A length L of the staple 800 is defined as thedistance between the apex of the crown section 814 and the distal end846 of the staple 800. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L ofthe staple 800 is 46 millimeters.

Now with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24, the staple collation 820 isillustrated in similar orientations as the magazine 610 of the poweredstapler 600 in FIGS. 15 and 16. The staple collation 820 includes afirst, forwardmost staple 800′ and an adjacent second staple 800″. Whenthe staple collation 820 is inserted within the magazine 610 of thestapler 600, the central plane 834′ of the first staple 800′ is alignedwith the driving axis 630. While the relative positioning of the firststaple 800′ and the second staple 800″ are described in detail, itshould be appreciated that the staple collation 820 may include anynumber of staples.

The second staple 800″ is offset from the first staple 800′ withreference to both the central plane 834′ of the first staple 800′ (FIG.24) and a plane that is perpendicular to the central plane 834′ (FIG.23). In other words, the second staple 800″ is vertically offset fromthe first staple 800′ in the side view of the staple collation 820 shownin FIG. 24. And, the second staple 800″ is laterally offset from thefirst staple 800′ in the bottom view of the staple collation 820 shownin FIG. 23.

For example, in the plane view of FIG. 23, a longitudinal axis 848 ofthe staple collation 820 extends at an angle A5 relative to the centralplane 834′ of the first staple 800′ and intersects the central plane834″ of the second staple 800″. In the illustrated embodiment, angle A5is about 14 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle A5 may be in arange from 10 degrees to 20 degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second staple 800′, 800′each has an outer width W1 defined by the crown section 814 (FIG. 22) of18.5 millimeters. The angle A5 laterally offsets the second staple 800″from the first staple 800′ by a distance D1. In the illustratedembodiment, the distance D1 is approximately 1 millimeter. As such, eachstaple of the staple collation 820 is laterally offset each other byapproximately 5 percent of the overall width W1 of the staple 800. Inalternative embodiments, each staple of the staple collation 820 may belaterally offset each other by 1 percent to 10 percent of the overallwidth W1 of the staple 800. In other words, the central plane 834″ ofthe first staple 800′ is laterally offset the central plane 834″ of thesecond staple 800″ by the distance D1.

In the side view of the staple collation 820, as shown in FIG. 24, thelongitudinal axis of the staple collation 820 extends at an angle A6relative to a driving axis 870 of the staple collation 820. The drivingaxis 870 of the staple collation 820 extends centrally through the firststaple 800′ and contains the central plane 834′. When the staplecollation 820 is inserted within the magazine 610 of the stapler 600,the driving axis 870 of the collation 820 aligns with the driving axis630 of the stapler 600. In the illustrated embodiment, angle A6 is about72 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle A6 may be in a range from 65degrees to 85 degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second staple 800′, 800′each has a length L of 46 millimeters. The angle A6 vertically offsetsthe second staple 800″ from the first staple 800′ by a distance D2. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the distance D2 is approximately 1.4millimeters. As such, each staple of the staple collation 820 isvertically offset each other by approximately 3 percent of the length Lof the staple 800. In alternative embodiments, each staple of the staplecollation 820 may be vertically offset each other by 1 percent to 10percent of the length of the staple 800. In other words, the centralplane 834″ of the first staple 800′ is vertically offset the centralplane 834″ of the second staple 800″ by the distance D2.

In use, the staple collated 820 is inserted into the magazine 610 of thepowered stapler 600 so the longitudinal axis 846 of the staple collation820 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 648 of the magazine 610 of thestapler 600 and the driving axis 870 of the collation 820, whichcontains the central plane 834′ of the first staple 800′, aligns withthe driving axis 630 of the stapler 600. When the trigger 646 of thepowered stapler 600 is depressed, the first staple 800′ is driventhrough the nosepiece 634, along the drive axis 870, and is insertedinto a workpiece. The magazine 610 moves the second staple 800″ so thecentral plane 834″ of the second staple 800″ aligns with the drivingaxis 630.

While the staple collations 720, 820 are described with reference to thestaples 700, 800, it should be appreciated that any staple that includesa crown section and a pair of leg sections extending from the crownsection may be collated in the same fashion as the staples 700, 800. Forexample, any of the staples 10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may be collatedtogether in a similar fashion as the staple collations 720, 820.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the inventionas described.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A staple collation comprising: a first staple; an identical second staple adjacent the first staple; and an adhesive material coupling the first staple to the second staple, wherein each of the first staple and the second staple includes a crown section having opposite ends, and a pair of leg sections extending from the opposite ends of the crown section, wherein the second staple is offset from the first staple in a first, lateral direction, and wherein the second staple is offset from the first staple in a second, vertical direction that is perpendicular to the lateral direction.
 2. The staple collation of claim 1, wherein: when viewed in a plan view, a longitudinal axis of the staple collation extends at a first angle relative to a central plane of symmetry of the first staple and intersects a central plane of symmetry of the second staple, and when viewed in a side view, the longitudinal axis of the staple collation extends at a second angle relative to a driving axis of the staple collation.
 3. The staple collation of claim 2, wherein the first angle is within a range from 10 degrees to 45 degrees.
 4. The staple collation of claim 2, wherein the second angle is within a range from 65 degrees to 85 degrees.
 5. The staple collation of claim 2, wherein: the first and second staple each has an outer width defined by the crown section, and the central plane of symmetry of the first staple is laterally offset from the central plane of symmetry of the second staple in the first direction by a distance.
 6. The staple collation of claim 5, wherein the distance is 1 percent to 20 percent of the outer width of the first staple.
 7. The staple collation of claim 5, wherein: a barb projects outward from each of the leg sections in a widthwise direction, and the adhesive material is coupled to the leg sections between the crown section and the barb.
 8. The staple collation of claim 7, wherein an outer width defined between the barb on each of the leg sections is less than or equal to the outer width of the crown section.
 9. The staple collation of claim 1, wherein the first and second staple each has a length and the second staple is vertically offset from the first staple in the second direction by a distance.
 10. The staple collation of claim 9, wherein the distance is 1 percent to 10 percent of the length of the first staple.
 11. The staple collation of claim 1, wherein the crown sections of the first and second staples are diamond-shaped with a first curve, a second curve, and a third curve representing three points of a diamond.
 12. The staple collation of claim 11, wherein each of the first curve, the second curve, and the third curve is defined by an identical radius.
 13. A powered fastener driver comprising: a housing defining a handle portion and a cylinder housing portion; a driver blade extending longitudinally along the cylinder housing portion and defining a driving axis; a nosepiece; a magazine obliquely extending from the nosepiece in both a plane containing the driving axis and a plane that is perpendicular to the driving axis, a staple collation housed within the magazine, the staple collation comprising; a first staple positioned within the nosepiece, the first staple being aligned with the driving axis, an identical second staple adjacent the first staple, and an adhesive material coupling the first staple to the second staple, wherein each of the first staple and the second staple includes a crown section having opposite ends, and a pair of leg sections extending from the opposite ends of the crown section, wherein the second staple is offset from the first staple in a first, lateral direction, and wherein the second staple is offset from the first staple in a second, vertical direction that is perpendicular to the lateral direction.
 14. The powered fastener driver of claim 13, wherein: when viewed in an end view, a longitudinal axis of the magazine intersects the driving axis and extends at a first angle relative to a vertical reference plane containing the driving axis and bisecting the cylinder housing portion, and when viewed in a side view, the longitudinal axis of the magazine extends at a second angle relative to the driving axis.
 15. The powered fastener driver of claim 14, wherein the first angle is within a range from 10 degrees to 45 degrees.
 16. The powered fastener driver of claim 14, wherein the second angle is within a range from 10 degrees to 45 degrees.
 17. The powered fastener driver of claim 14, wherein: when viewed in a plan view, a longitudinal axis of the staple collation extends at a third angle relative to a central plane of symmetry of the first staple and intersects a central plane of symmetry of the second staple, and when viewed in a side view, the longitudinal axis of the staple collation extends at a fourth angle relative to the driving axis.
 18. The powered fastener driver of claim 13, wherein: the first and second staple each has an outer width defined by the crown section, and the central plane of symmetry of the first staple is laterally offset from the central plane of symmetry of the second staple in the first direction by a distance.
 19. The powered fastener driver of claim 18, wherein the distance is 1 percent to 20 percent of the outer width of the first staple.
 20. The powered fastener driver of claim 13, wherein: a barb projects outward from each of the leg sections in a widthwise direction, and the adhesive material is coupled to the leg sections of the staple between the crown section and the barb.
 21. A staple collation comprising: a first staple; an identical second staple adjacent the first staple; and an adhesive material coupling the first staple to the second staple, wherein each of the first staple and the second staple includes a crown section having diamond shaped with a first curve, a second curve, and a third curve representing three points of a diamond, the crown section having opposite ends, a pair of leg sections extending from the opposite ends of the crown section, and a barb projecting outward from each of the leg sections in a widthwise direction.
 22. The staple collation of claim 21, wherein each of the first curve, the second curve, and the third curve is defined by an identical radius.
 23. The staple collation of claim 21, wherein the first curve is positioned at an apex of the crown section that is bisected by a central plane of symmetry.
 24. The staple collation of claim 23, wherein the first curve is connected to the second curve and the third curve via respective straight segments.
 25. The staple collation of claim 24, wherein each of the straight segments is oriented at an angle within a range from 40 degrees to 50 degrees relative to the central plane of symmetry.
 26. The staple collation of claim 21, wherein the leg sections include leg segments that extend from the crown section and are parallel with each other.
 27. The staple collation of claim 26, wherein the leg segments include an adhesive coating.
 28. The staple collation of claim 21, wherein the adhesive material is coupled to the leg sections of the staple between the crown section and the barb.
 29. The staple collation of claim 21, wherein the crown section has an outer width that is greater than an outer width of the leg sections.
 30. The staple collation of claim 29, wherein an outer width defined by the barbs is greater than the outer width of the leg sections and is less than or equal to the outer width of the crown section.
 31. The staple collation of claim 21, wherein a distal end of one of the leg sections has a forward-facing inclined face, and wherein the distal end of the other leg section has a rearward-facing inclined face. 